First, Do No Harm

• Ecotourism should minimize any potentially negative impact on the environment, culture and people. This concern includes avoiding overtaxing an area's resources and supplies.
  
  

Conservation

• Both national and native heritages should be conserved and respected, as well as the natural resources.
  
  

Education

• Tourism that provides hands-on educational opportunities is preferred. These opportunities can include active and meaningful involvement with the community, outdoor activities that immerse the traveler in natural settings, and bird or wildlife watching.
  
  

Profits

• Ideally, profits from ecotourism will go towards environmental conservation and sustainable development in the area.
  
  

Certification

• Australia is the first country to offer ecotourism certification, through the International Ecotourism Society of Australia. It's possible that other countries will follow suit in the future and offer certification programs with guiding principles of their own.